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Books by D.J. Butler
Category Archives: How to Write
Structure: Twelve Bar Blues
In our continuing series looking at structure in writing (we’ll get to novels, but I want to persuade you that this is important by showing you various non-novel structures first), here’s a short one. The twelve bar blues (which is … Continue reading
Posted in How to Write, Song
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Writing Group Advice: Be a Man!
I think one of the secrets to the critiquing power of the Story Monkeys is the sheer uninhibited manliness of our interaction. Watch a group of men interact, especially about something manly, like sports. They talk trash, they poke fun, … Continue reading
Posted in How to Write, Story Monkeys
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More Ballads, and Filking Solomon Kane!
For your edification and entertainment, further examples of balladry. Remember, a ballad is a narrative told in a series of identical verses. “Mathy Groves” has been recorded various times; it’s one of the famed Child Ballads, which you can buy … Continue reading
Posted in How to Write, Song, Writing Sample
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Structure: Ballads
Structure is vitally important in any piece of writing. Structure is the road your readers walk on to get them where you want them to go and the signposts indicating what you want them to notice; without it, they’re lost. … Continue reading
Posted in How to Write, Song, Writing Sample
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Your Breath’s as Hard as Kerosene
This is “Pancho and Lefty” by the incomparable Townes Van Zandt, here recorded by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. You can see Townes himself playing one of the federales in the video. There’s a lot to say about this terrific … Continue reading
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Killer Canopic Jar
Betty sprang up before the PINHEADs, clapping wildly. “Where is he?” she shrieked, giddy and badly misguided. Milo Bumbles was a heavy man to the day of his tragic death, but he had quick reflexes. In … Continue reading
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Great Writing Secrets, No. 1
Write every day. Organize your life to be able to do so, cut the deals and sign the treaties required so that you can have the time to put your backside in the chair for at least some period of … Continue reading
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A Good Opening (2)
This is not my picture. It is the opening frame (post-prologue) of the Joss Whedon comic book Fray, which is (ring high concept gong) Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but cyberpunk. This is a great opening frame, and worth emulating in … Continue reading
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